Cta Guard Shot On `L` Platform

December 16, 1988

A Chicago Transit Authority security guard patrolling a North Side elevated platform was shot Thursday night by an unidentified man, but the bullet ricocheted off the guard`s handcuffs and he suffered only minor injuries, officials said.

Vincent Rapp, 22, an employee of National K-9 Securities of Northbrook, a private security firm under contract with the CTA, had been standing with his dog at the station at 1816 W. Irving Park Rd. when the shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m., police said.

The assailant, described as white, 6 feet 2 inches tall and wearing a ski cap and jeans, got off the Ravenswood train, shot once at the guard with a handgun and then fled down the platform stairs, police said.

The bullet, which hit Rapp`s handcuff case, knocked him backward, and he struck his head on the platform.

He was able to radio the CTA control center for help, according to police. His dog, a German shepherd, was not harmed.

Rapp was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital and treated for a possible head injury.

A hospital spokesman listed him in good condition at 10:30 p.m.

``The best part about this is the guy appears to be okay,`` CTA spokeswoman Rosemarie Gulley said.

Guards with National K-9`s Securities are not allowed to carry weapons when patrolling for the CTA.

Rapp had only a set of handcuffs, a portable two-way radio and his dog, Gulley said.

``National K-9 is the only K-9 patrol we have,`` said Gulley, adding that the guards are not allowed to carry guns because ``they are just there as backups for the regular patrols, to make the passengers feel safer.``

She said she did not know the financial terms of the CTA`s contract with National K-9 or how many of the company`s guards the CTA employs.